Old 04-30-10 | 05:25 PM
  #12  
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JohnDThompson
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From: Appleton WI

Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.

Originally Posted by lz4005
Originally Posted by JohnDThompson
It will work, but keep in mind a single rear hub brake is not a very effective means of stopping a bicycle. There's a reason why you only find coaster brakes on children's bikes and low-end department store bikes that are unlikely to be ridden fast or often.


They're on a lot more bikes than that. Aside from overheating from heavy use they work just fine. Like all rear brakes, they are safer when paired with a front brake.
Rear wheel brakes in general are limited in effectiveness by the traction on the rear wheel. Even cheap coaster brakes can lock up a rear wheel, and at that point you're at the maximum braking power possible. A fancier coaster brake will have the same limitation; about all you can hope for is that it will dissipate heat more effectively and thus maintain its relatively feeble braking power longer than a cheaper model.
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